Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether using bacterial strains

• Published in: Folia microbiologica Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 411 - 416
• Main Authors: Vošahlíková-Kolářová, M., Krejčík, Z., Cajthaml, T., Demnerová, K., Pazlarová, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-09-2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Achromobacter; Achromobacter - classification; Achromobacter - growth & development; Achromobacter - isolation & purification; Achromobacter - metabolism; Achromobacter xylosoxidans; Aerobic conditions; Aerobiosis; Applied Microbiology; Bacteria; Biochemical oxygen demand; Biochemistry; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Fresh Water - microbiology; Gas chromatography; Groundwater pollution; Immunology; Life Sciences; Methyl Ethers - metabolism; Microbiology; Microorganisms; MTBE; Oxygen - pharmacology; Rhodococcus - classification; Rhodococcus - growth & development; Rhodococcus - isolation & purification; Rhodococcus - metabolism; Rhodococcus pyridinivorans; Soil contamination; Soil Microbiology; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Mixed Microbial Consortium; Biochemical Oxygen Demand; Minimal Sample Loss; Degrading Bacterial Strain; Aliphatic Alkane
• ISSN: 0015-5632; 1874-9356
• DOI: 10.1007/s12223-008-0062-6

Prospective methyl
tert
-butyl ether (MTBE) degrading bacterial strains and/or consortia were identified. The potential for aerobic degradation of MTBE was examined using bacterial isolates from contaminated soils and groundwater. Using the 16S rDNA protocol, two isolates capable of degrading MTBE (
Rhodococcus pyridinivorans
4A and
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
6A) were identified. The most efficient consortium of microorganisms was acquired from contaminated groundwater. The growth of both strains and the consortium on MTBE was supported by various organic substrates, and monitored using Bioscreen®. The biochemical oxygen demand of the cultures was measured using OxiTop®, and their MTBE concentrations were estimated by gas chromatography. After 3 weeks of aerobic cultivation using
n
-alkanes as cosubstrate, the concentration of MTBE in
R. pyridinivorans
4A was reduced to 62.4 % of its initial amount (50 ppm).